This research was based around gender differences in free-flow play which has become an interest to me after observing stereotypical behaviour during my time as a practitioner.
There were a few difficulties I met when trying to obtain a sample group. The research sample I required was a minimum of 8 participants, however due to insufficient responses from parents I was only able to complete the research with 6 participants. Although, 6 participants were 3 boys and 3 girls meaning that they were an equal gender sample group.
As a researcher I have learnt that by disclosing the information of research face-to-face and talking to potential participants is more effective than sending letters home. The potential participants parents I spoke to …show more content…
In social sciences it is interpretation of the data and what the researcher already knows cannot be separated from them (Steedman 1991, in Anderson, 2008). As a researcher I have already observed gender differences in play and with extensive studies in the literature review findings supporting gender differences in free-flow play it would have had an effect on my interpretation of the data collected. The subjectivity in my research was that I had history in the practitioner field and at the day-care setting. I already held my own personal judgements on gender differences in play between boys and girls prior to the start of the research. “Reflexivity recognises that researchers are inescapable of the social world they are researching” (Hammersley & Atkinson 1983:14 in Cohen, Manion & Morrison 2011:225) Reflexivity of this research acknowledged my background in the field with my prior assumptions in this dissertation and it was monitored throughout the research my personal effect on the interaction with the children, analysis of the results and interpretation of these results. I completed this by creating a semi-structured interview schedule so I had guidelines to follow rather than my usual interactions with children and I checked my data analysis several times to ensure I was truly reflecting the data. I could not remain completely objective but my
There were a few difficulties I met when trying to obtain a sample group. The research sample I required was a minimum of 8 participants, however due to insufficient responses from parents I was only able to complete the research with 6 participants. Although, 6 participants were 3 boys and 3 girls meaning that they were an equal gender sample group.
As a researcher I have learnt that by disclosing the information of research face-to-face and talking to potential participants is more effective than sending letters home. The potential participants parents I spoke to …show more content…
In social sciences it is interpretation of the data and what the researcher already knows cannot be separated from them (Steedman 1991, in Anderson, 2008). As a researcher I have already observed gender differences in play and with extensive studies in the literature review findings supporting gender differences in free-flow play it would have had an effect on my interpretation of the data collected. The subjectivity in my research was that I had history in the practitioner field and at the day-care setting. I already held my own personal judgements on gender differences in play between boys and girls prior to the start of the research. “Reflexivity recognises that researchers are inescapable of the social world they are researching” (Hammersley & Atkinson 1983:14 in Cohen, Manion & Morrison 2011:225) Reflexivity of this research acknowledged my background in the field with my prior assumptions in this dissertation and it was monitored throughout the research my personal effect on the interaction with the children, analysis of the results and interpretation of these results. I completed this by creating a semi-structured interview schedule so I had guidelines to follow rather than my usual interactions with children and I checked my data analysis several times to ensure I was truly reflecting the data. I could not remain completely objective but my